Over time, living on your property will show in small ways. Moving around the same spaces every day is bound to have an effect on the environment you occupy. Here are some examples of wear and tear that are likely to be in your home, and here is how you can fix them.

1. Loose Hinges or Handles on Doors

Don’t Waste Time. Get Calling

After finding your handle is loose, it may only be a matter of time until it stops functioning altogether. You could always attempt to fix this yourself, but a smart idea may be to call a locksmith in order to avoid any further damage to your door. Though it may look like an outside problem, it may be an older mechanism from which the problem stems. A build-up of dirt or the natural ageing of the lock may be the case, both are entirely fixable by a locksmith who will see these kinds of problems daily. There are also different types of door handles, so you don’t want to risk an attempt at fixing a door handle which is not the model you have in your home. All can be easily solved by getting in contact with a locksmith to get it sorted out as soon as possible.

2. Scratched Wooden Flooring

Give Your Floor Its Shine Back

Walking on the same floor daily is bound to show physical effects. For this, you can easily remedy it if the scratches don’t appear too bad or stubborn. Modern materials that are used for flooring are far more durable than the likes that would be laid down in an old house; however, damage can still be done, of course. Fixing the scratches depends on the type of wear and tear on your floor. You will need a different remedy if the damage is heavier than minimal scratches. If the scratches are small but still noticeable, you can start by using a soft cloth and a floor cleaner to get rid of any dirt on the area. After this, dry the area and grab some steel wool, making sure not to rub against the grain of the wood but rather with it. Use sandpaper to buff the edges of the scratch, and then go in with floor wax, ensuring to leave it for ten minutes. To finish, gently buff the area with a soft cloth, and you should see the difference in your flooring. 

3. Mold In Your Bathroom 

Fix It As Soon As You Spot It

Mold can occur anywhere in the home after an event which causes moisture has occurred. Old homes can often pose health hazards like this due to the age of the house, but mold can be a problem in any property. The sooner you spot the outbreak of such, the sooner you can organize a mold remediation process. It can become incredibly harmful if left untreated and even cause serious health issues for those who inhabit your home. Services are there to provide professional and safe remedies to help get rid of the mold. Get in contact as soon as you spot it. 

There’s nothing quite like the charm of an old home. With their high ceilings, large windows, and spacious rooms, they offer a unique character that newer homes just can’t replicate. However, while these older homes may be charming, they often come with a price tag: health hazards. From lead paint to asbestos to vermin infestations, old homes can pose a serious threat to your health if not remedied. This blog post will discuss four of the most common health hazards posed by old homes and how you can remedy them.

Lead Paint

One of the most common health hazards posed by old homes is lead paint. Lead paint was used extensively in homes built back in the day and can be found on walls, ceilings, doors, and windows. If ingested or inhaled, lead paint can cause serious health problems, including brain damage, developmental delays, and learning disabilities. The best way to remediate lead paint is to have a professional come in and remove it. 

A certified lead abatement contractor will use containment and negative air pressure to prevent lead dust from spreading during the removal process. Once the lead paint has been removed, the area will need to be repainted with safe, lead-free paint.

Asbestos

Asbestos is another common health hazard found in older homes. Asbestos was used extensively in construction and insulation materials prior to the 1980s and can be found in a variety of places in an old house, including flooring, pipes, siding, and insulation. When asbestos fibers are inhaled, they can cause a number of severe health problems, including lung cancer and mesothelioma cancer. If you suspect that your home contains asbestos, it’s important to have it tested and removed by a professional.

Vermin Infestations

Another common health hazard posed by old homes is a vermin infestation. Mice, rats, cockroaches, and other pests can damage not only your home but also spread diseases. If you suspect that you have a vermin problem, it’s important to call in a professional exterminator. They will be able to identify the type of pests present and develop a plan to get rid of them. Once the pests are gone, you’ll need to take steps to prevent them from returning. This may include sealing up cracks and holes in your home, removing food sources, and using traps or baits.

Mold

Mold is another common health hazard found in old homes. Mold can grow on damp or wet surfaces, such as walls, ceilings, floors, and pipes. Inhaling mold spores can cause a number of respiratory problems, including asthma attacks, bronchitis, and allergic reactions. If you suspect that you have a mold problem, it’s crucial to call in a professional remediation company. 

In conclusion, old homes can pose a serious threat to your health if not remedied. This blog post has discussed four of the most common health hazards posed by old houses and how you can fix them. Taking these steps will help protect you and your family from the serious health risks posed by old homes and keep you and your family safe and happy for years to come.

In the wake of a disaster, many of us are too shaken up to think about recovery. However, it could be important to action quickly – damage left unrepaired could lead to more damage. So just what recovery steps should you take? Below are 5 home disasters that occur across the US and how to recover from them. 

Burglary

There are over 1 million burglaries committed in the US each year. On top of stealing valuable possessions, burglars can often cause huge amounts of damage in the process. 

While you may be eager to replace the stolen items and make these repairs, it’s important to not touch anything initially. The first thing you should do is to report the crime to the police. Leave everything where it is so that they can take any evidence they may need. Police will be able to advise you on how to secure your home while waiting for repairs. 

The second thing you should do is to notify your insurer. It could also be worth taking pictures of the scene so that you have evidence to send to your insurer. You can then make a claim and hopefully get enough compensation to pay for essential repairs and replacements.

If your home isn’t covered by insurance, you will have to pay for repairs and replacements yourself. Be wary that there may be local charities that can help to provide funding.

Many homes that are burgled end up being targeted again. By investing in security measures such as burglar alarms, security cameras, exterior lighting and strong locks you may be able to prevent yourself from being a victim twice. 

Flooding

In 2021 alone, 15 millions homes across America were affected by natural disasters. Floods are one of the biggest and most devastating natural disasters, causing huge amounts of damage to property and possessions. They can often be a knock-on effect of hurricanes, but can also be caused simply by excess rainfall. Plumbing disasters can also often lead to floods. 

Recovering from a flood is a gradual process. First, you must make sure that your home is safe. Turn off the gas and electricity at the mains if you can reach the switches. You may need to find temporary accommodation for a while until your home is cleared up as there may be bacteria from sewerage and mold everywhere. 

You should then photograph the damage and get in touch with your insurer if you have flood cover. If you cannot make an insurance claim, there could be grants or loans that you can look into to pay for recovery.

There are companies that can help carry out a flooding clean up for you. This should be done as soon as possible to prevent further damage and should include first drying out your home and then removing anything that is damaged and unsalvageable. You can then look into making necessary repairs and replacing any important items that were damaged by the flood.

If you live in a high-risk flood zone, it could be important to protect your home against possible future floods. Consider looking into either wet floodproofing or dry floodproofing. The latter involves keeping all water out of your home, while the former allows water into your home but minimizes damage. 

Fire

Over 350,000 house fires occur every year in the US. While some of these fires are able to be put out before they cause much damage, others can cause significant damage.

It is recommended that you move out of your home following a fire, as it may not be safe. A fire inspector will be able to assess the damage and determine whether your home is safe to still live in and what repairs are needed. Some homes may not be salvageable – in which case you may have no choice but to permanently move out or rebuild your home from scratch. 

You should call your insurer straight away and send them any photo evidence that they may need. If you do not have insurance, consider looking into other types of funding such as loans and grants for fire recovery. 

There are specialist fire restoration companies that can help restore your home. Any personal possessions damaged by the fire may need to be thrown out and replaced. 

Earthquake

Earthquakes occur mainly across the west of the US. The most severe ones can cause huge amounts of damage that can be very costly to recover from.

Following an earthquake, you should get your home inspected to make sure that it is safe. You should then invest in any repairs that may need to be made.

If you are insured, make sure to notify your insurer beforehand and make a claim before committing to any repairs. If you are not covered by insurance, there is other financial support out there for earthquake victims. 

It is important that you invest in some earthquake-proofing home improvements to protect your property against future possible earthquakes. Securing furniture, cabinets, appliances and doors can often help to prevent these items getting damaged.

Tornado

Tornadoes are most commonly found across the Great Plains. They cause huge amounts of damage to homes each year.

If your home is directly in the path of a tornado, there is a high chance that it could be completely wiped out. However, not all tornadoes cause such extensive damage and repairs may be necessary. You should get your home inspected to work out the extent of the damage and whether your home is salvageable.

Tornado damage is a form of storm damage and may be covered by your insurer. Notify your insurer as soon as possible, take pictures of your home and make a claim.

If you do not have insurance, there may be other funding that you can look into. A number of charities provide relief for those that have experienced storm damage. Look into these types of charities.

It could be important to protect your home against future tornadoes. Storm shutters, brace garage doors and reinforced roof are some of the improvements you can make.